Tag Archives: va hospital sbx

The retired nurse and Loma Linda resident has been a regular rider on the rapid transit line since it launched in April. She doesn’t have a car and relies on public transit to get everywhere she need to go. She prefers riding sbX because it has stops at her favorite destinations, and the Anderson Street station is just a few blocks from her home.

“I enjoy getting out, so I’ll often take sbX over to Inland Center Mall or out to lunch. It’s a nice ride, and the air conditioning is wonderful! Today is the third time I’ve ridden the entire line all the way up to Palm and Kendall and back. It’s very relaxing, and I can read or just enjoy the scenery.”

An avid romance reader and Amazon reviewer, Alexina always has her Kindle handy in her purse. “I use the electrical outlets and Wi-Fi on here all the time,” she explains. “I carry power cords for my phone and Kindle with me so I can charge them whenever I need to. It’s very convenient.”

Reginald is a retired Air Force veteran also living in Loma Linda. Although he’s been a regular rider from the beginning, he admits that early on he had doubts about the rapid transit system.

“I was one of the naysayers at first,” he explained. “Until I rode on it for the first time. I have to say it far exceeded every expectation I had. I like it.”

Reginald also finds it convenient to have an sbX station just two blocks from his home. “It makes it very easy for me to get to the VA hospital, and it’s about 15 minutes faster than the regular bus. I also like being able to charge my cell phone while I’m riding. It works well for me, and I enjoy it.”

The sbX station at the VA Hospital in Loma Linda will feature color seals depicting each branch of the Armed Forces on glass panels.

When construction for the Omnitrans sbX is complete and service begins in early 2014, veterans and staff traveling to the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Medical Center (VA Hospital) will benefit from a new station at Barton Road and Benton Street.

Artist rendering of the structural monument that will be located at the sbX VA Loma Linda station.

Like all 16 stations along the 15.7-mile sbX corridor, it will include public art. At the VA Hospital, the station artwork pays tribute to our armed forces by displaying the seals of each military branch. There will also be a structural monument that will have an American flag and dog tags spiraling down the flag pole.

Currently, Omnitrans serves many our veterans in the region each day by providing them with dependable and affordable public transportation. Whether commuting to work or school, going to medical appointments, or traveling to veterans’ service organizations, Omnitrans is committed to meeting veteran ridership needs – and the future sbX service will do just that.

Richard Curtis, U.S. Army (Ret.)

“To tell you the truth, I’d rather ride Omnitrans than ride a car,” said Richard Curtis, U.S. Army veteran and former Vietnam POW. “The bus drivers are always courteous and friendly. It’s pretty efficient and I can always make my appointments on time.”

The new sbX service will reduce travel time along the corridor as it will stop at one-mile intervals versus fixed route service that stops approximately every one-third of a mile. Additionally, the specialized sbX buses will have traffic priority signalization technology that allows it to communicate

Levi Lane, U.S. Navy (Ret.), served on the USS Kitty Hawk.

with traffic management systems so that as buses approach intersections, the signal will keep the green and yellow light on longer so that it can pass through safely.

Riders like Navy veteran Levi Lane, who combine public bus transit with cycling, will also benefit from the sbX line’s interior bike racks. “I bike or take Omnitrans wherever I have to go. It’s good to have the bus to fall back on whenever you need it,” said Lane.

Robin Bose, a 17-year Omnitrans Coach Operator, was a helicopter crew chief in the U.S. Army.

There will be two interior bike racks that will accommodate four bikes apiece. In addition, the front of the sbX bus has fold-up seats to accommodate up to four wheelchairs.

Employing Our Veterans

Once construction of the sbX line is completed, it will be turned over to Omnitrans for service and operation. Omnitrans is privileged to have 90 employees who are also military veterans. Just as they served our country in a variety of ways, these veterans are deployed in a variety of roles at Omnitrans,

Diane Caldera served 29 years in the Air Force and is currently a Major in the Active Reserve. She joined Omnitrans in 2005 as a coach operator and is now an Assistant Transportation Manager.

from Coach Operator to Equipment Mechanic, Department Director and more. One employee is currently on active duty and two are on active reserve. Omnitrans is proud to employ our veterans and looks forward to providing sbX service to veterans to the VA Hospital in Loma Linda.